Mbakwe's status with team unchanged after arrest

Minnesota's Trevor Mbakwe, left, goes to the basket after getting past Indiana's Verdell Jones III, right, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2011, in Minneapolis. Minnesota won 67-63.(AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid)

/ AP

Minnesota's Trevor Mbakwe, left, goes to the basket after getting past Indiana's Verdell Jones III, right, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2011, in Minneapolis. Minnesota won 67-63.(AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid)

Minnesota's Trevor Mbakwe, left, goes to the basket after getting past Indiana's Verdell Jones III, right, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2011, in Minneapolis. Minnesota won 67-63.(AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid) (/ AP)

DAVE CAMPBELL, AP Sports Writer

Minnesota is sticking with star forward Trevor Mbakwe despite his arrest for allegedly violating a restraining order filed against him.

The university released a statement from coach Tubby Smith on Tuesday confirming that Mbakwe is still with the team, describing the action as "a lapse in judgment" and announcing no punishments.

Mbakwe was taken to jail on Monday night on a misdemeanor charge after authorities said he sent a message on Facebook to a former girlfriend who had filed the no-harrasment order in August 2009.

Smith says he believes Mbakwe's actions were "well-intended, but misguided."